Over 70 arrested, 11 injured in Turkey protests

Protesters protect themselves from water cannons and tear gas fired by Turkish riot police on May 31, 2014 in Ankara, as they mark the first anniversary of last year anti-government demonstrations. Photo credit:AFP/ADEM ALTAN)

Demonstrators stand behind barricades during clashes with riot police in Ankara on the first anniversary of last year's protests in Taksim square, on May 31, 2014.(Photo credit: AFP/ADEM ALTAN)

A protester raises his arms at a Turkish riot police vehicule while its firing water at protesters on May 31, 2014 in Ankara, as they mark the first anniversary of last year anti-government demonstrations. (Photo credit: AFP/ ADEM ALTAN)

Turkish security members watch as they close the city's landmark Taksim Square and Gezi Park on the first anniversary of last year's protests in Istanbul, Turkey, Saturday, May 31, 2014. (Photo credit: AP/Emrah Gurel)

A man shouts as plain clothes security members try to detain a person who was reading as security close the city's landmark Taksim Square and Gezi Park on the first anniversary of last year's protests in Istanbul, Turkey, Saturday, May 31, 2014. (Photo credit: AP/Emrah Gurel)

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Over 70 people were arrested and 11 were injured during demonstrations Saturday marking the one-year anniversary of Gezi Park and Taksim Square mass protests in Istanbul last year, Turkey’s Human Rights Association (İHD) said according to Turkish daily Hurriyet.

“If you go there, our security forces have received clear-cut instructions and will do whatever is necessary from A to Z,” Erdogan told thousands of supporters at an Istanbul rally.

“You will not be able to take to [Taksim] like you did last year because you are obliged to abide by the laws… If you do not, the state will do whatever is necessary for its security,” he said.

Erdogan urged young Turks to ignore the call to stage a protest to mark the anniversary of a movement that began last year as a neighborhood bid to save Gezi Park, adjacent to Taksim Square, from real estate developers.

“One year later, people, including so-called artists, are calling for demonstrations, but you, Turkey’s youth, you will not respond to the call,” Erdogan told a crowd of a thousand young people in Istanbul.

One year on, the political tensions stemming from the Gezi revolt continue to simmer despite a decisive ruling party victory in March 30 local elections that has boosted Erdogan’s ambitions to stand for president in August.

A succession of crises over the last 12 months — from a government corruption scandal implicating the premier and key allies to the mine tragedy that killed 301 workers earlier this month — have sparked renewed anger at Erdogan’s leadership.

Critics meanwhile accuse Erdogan of pressing ahead with controversial policies including muzzling the press, tightening the government’s sway over the judiciary and curbing the Internet.